Though the Legislature legalized marijuana for medical purposes in 1991, there's no mechanism in current law that allows for the legal dispensing of the drug. Doctors can legally prescribe it, patients can legally use it, but there is no middle man. Indeed, Louisiana lawmakers have defeating marijuana legislation left and right. In April 2014, a Senate committee quashed the best shot of setting up a medical marijuana industry in the state. The Senate Health and Welfare Committee killed a bill that would have set up the tightest law in the United States regulating the prescription, dispensing and use of marijuana for medical purposes. That same month, another Louisiana Senate Committee killed a bill that would have reduced penalties for marijuana possession. Current Louisiana state law penalizes first-time possession of any amount of marijuana up to 60 pounds with a $500 fine and six months in jail (a misdemeanor), a $2,500 fine and five years in jail for a second offense (a felony) and a third conviction can bring a $5,000 fine and a 20-year jail term (a felony). Many say the law is enforced unevenly, however, since law enforcement agents and prosecutors handpick which repeat offenders get charged with felonies.

Louisiana has some of the harshest marijuana laws in the country. First-offense possession of even a single joint is punishable by up to six months in jail. Unfortunately, these laws disproportionately effect Louisiana’s African American community. A 2013 study by the American Civil Liberties Union found that although blacks and whites use marijuana at nearly identical rates, blacks in Louisiana are 3.1 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession.

Legislature adjourns after improving marijuana policies

Louisiana’s 2015 legislative session saw the passage of two bills that move marijuana policies in the right direction. On June 29, 2015, Gov. Jindal signed into law HB 149, which reduces penalties for possession of marijuana, and SB 143, which attempts to create a compassionate medical marijuana program.

The people of Louisiana are ready to rid their state of the overly harsh penalties currently imposed for marijuana offenses. A February 2014 LSU State Survey found 79% of Louisianans support allowing medical marijuana. These results are more than 10 points greater than an August 2013 Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey that found 65% support for medical marijuana. The PPP poll also found that 56% of likely voters favor citing individuals for simple marijuana possession over arresting them, and 53% think the state should change its law “to allow marijuana to be regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol, for legal use by adults age 21 and older.”

Louisiana Cannabis News

The state's first license for a medical marijuana pharmacy was awarded Tuesday in the greater New Orleans region to the longstanding owner of H&W Drug Store to dispense the drug at a proposed Gentilly location.

After years of discussion about medical marijuana in Louisiana, production of the plant is approaching, pharmacies are angling for exclusive permits to sell the drug and doctors are slowly becoming licensed to prescribe it to patients.

Southern University, one of two licensed medical marijuana growers in Louisiana, held a town hall last night and announced a timeline for seeking out a private partner to grow and produce marijuana into chewables, oils, pills or powders.

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